Prior to the referendum vote conducted by the director pursuant to this article, the proponents of the commission shall deposit with the director an amount of funds determined necessary by the director to defray the expenses of preparing the necessary lists and information and conducting the vote. Any funds not used for this purpose shall be returned to the proponents of the commission who deposited the funds with the director. Upon establishment of the commission, the commission may reimburse the proponents of the commission for any funds deposited with the director and for any legal expenses and costs incurred in establishing the commission.